First Look at Tetrisphere

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You've played it on your computer and GameBoy, now play the next level of Tetris on your N64

By IGN Staff

If you've ever played Tetris, you won't know this game. In fact, the objective is the exact opposite of Tetris! Instead of placing blocks you're removing them, and you get a better score by removing "combos" of blocks, much like in Capcom's Super Puzzle Fighter 2. There are five different single player modes and a two-player battle mode.

The most Tetris-like mode is the Time Trial. You have to remove blocks to reveal the "core" of the sphere; the faster you get to the core, the better your score. All the other modes essentiall build on this model. "Rescue" has you digging through the sphere to release your robot friend, who is trapped below. In "Hide and Seek" you have to dig to the bottom of the sphere to find a picture and reveal it.

"Puzzle" is the most insidious form of Tetrisphere. You're given a set number of moves in which to remove all the blocks on the sphere. Like most puzzle games, the first levels are easy, but as you progress, you're given larger and larger puzzles with more difficult problems to solve. The last single player mode is really two player vs. the CPU. As you or the CPU remove blocks, they pile up on the opponents sphere. The object is to be the first to reveal a set number of "core" element. As you build combos, you get magic power ups like bombs and dynamite that clear larger sections of the sphere faster.

One of the most conspicuous absences in the N64 line up has been the puzzle genre. Tetrisphere looks like it will fill the void very well. For more see our preview with new pictures.